[PLUG] Linux Desktop - Time to make the change

Derek Loree drl at drloree.com
Tue Nov 1 16:52:11 UTC 2005


On Mon, 2005-10-31 at 20:52 -0800, David Tod Sigafoos wrote:
> Derek,
> 
> Thanks for the reply .. i really do like to yabber about this stuff.
> 
> Monday, October 31, 2005, 8:31:48 PM, you wrote:
> 
> DL> On Mon, 2005-10-31 at 17:09 -0800, AthlonRob wrote:
> >> David Tod Sigafoos wrote:
> >> > BUT .. not all distros work with hardware.  I used Fedora 4 because it
> >> > is known to work with HP Laptops (specifically the zd8000 line).  Wait
> >> > .. there is another problem .. Linux doesn't work on all or even most
> >> > boxes.  And a distro that works on one doesn't necessarily work on
> >> > another.
> >> 
> >> Actually, with a bit of work any piece of hardware that works on one
> >> distro will work on any other distro.  Hardware is controlled by the
> >> kernel... and it's Linux all around.  :-)
> 
> DL> Only if you can install the OS far enough to recompile the kernel.  If
> DL> the default kernel won't install the OS, then its time to look for
> DL> another.
> 
> recompile the kernel .. i am sorry but i gave up that with the other
> childish toys of my youth <G>
> 
> I love to play with stuff .. but usually it is how to may my apps the
> best apps they can be .. how to bring new features to users and how to
> create new 'tools' in the environment for developers.
> 
> It isn't to spend lots of time recompiling kernels for searching for
> missing bits of an application someone has placed out there.  <g>
> 
> DL> FWIW, I've had more success with Debian than any other installer, but
> DL> only because the Debian installer allows you to take control of just
> DL> about every aspect of the installation process.  This installer is not
> DL> good for newbies, but the defaults should get most systems up and
> DL> running.
> 
> When you grap an XP disk or server 2003 disk .. you stuff it in ..
> press the button and off you go.  Oh yeah .. you have to know what
> region you are in but other than that  .. BANG BIFF POW you have a
> system that knows EVERYTHING about your hardware.

Obviously you haven't done that many windows installs, I've only ever
had that happen a few times, most of the other time, drivers had to be
tracked down, and a large number of times the install didn't work as
advertised causing more hair loss (mainly because the error messages
make no sense) trying to get it working.  Some drivers have to be loaded
during the install (mostly RAID controllers), and windows is so
antiquated that you still HAVE to use the floppy drive to load them.  A
large number of machines out there come with no floppy drive!
> 
> I love to hear the 'recompile kernel' bit <G>
> 
> Now i know that Linux isn't there yet (kernel or os or distro or ..
> pick your definition) and am ok with a bit of blood on the finger
> nails and a waste of a lot of time.  But I wonder if it will change
> when all the mails i have gotten do not critically look at Linux ..
> (kernel, distro, os or what ever) and see what need to be done about
> making it a more acceptable solution.

Since I am not a developer, I only look at what can be done with what is
out there now.  I have had the same load of Debian unstable for about 5
years now, it has not always worked 100%, but I have always been able to
fix it.  I have changed motherboards three times, video cards about five
times and have added and subtracted all kinks of peripheral hardware.
In the same time period I have had to reload windows at least a half
dozen times, talk about a monumental waste of time!

Anyway, I would rather take the time to recompile to a leaner faster
kernel that will be around for years than to have to deal with the
bizarre ways that Bill has found to screw up an OS.

If your lively hood is dependent on billable hours, then I would not
recommend using linux.  Windows will most definitely keep the customers
calling back.  This is kind of a strange industry, happy customers are
not the ones that keep calling back, they are the ones that have no
problems and only need to call you when they want to make changes.  This
leads to fewer billable hours per customer.

I feel your pain.

Derek Loree




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